How to prepare for your Bristol Newborn Photography Session
If you’re expecting a new little one in 2023, congratulations! Planning for a baby can be so much fun, and my hope is this blog post helps to simplify the process for you as you start to prepare for capturing these sweet moments of your new little one and your family! If you’re looking to capture your Bristol Newborn Photography session, I’d love to work with you and your family! If you’d like more details on what it’s like to work with me for your Newborn session you can CLICK HERE to get in touch.
To help you plan for your Bristol Newborn Photography session I have written a few tips below.
1. Book your newborn session in advance
The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to book your Bristol Newborn Photography session in advance. How far in advance? Typically it’s best to book your session before your baby arrives (because it can get quite chaotic afterwards) so that we are sure to capture your newborn session with the first 1-2 weeks of life. I like to recommend my clients book their session while they’re 25-30 weeks pregnant. But sooner is always better than later so that we can reserve your session (your due date) and plan out all the pretty details. Plus my clients get a “How to prepare for your newborn session Guide” that is filled with so many useful tips and reminders to prepare you, your family, and your newest little one for your newborn session.
If you have already delivered, or your baby will be older than 1-2 weeks old for their session, reach out HERE as soon as you can to see if we can fit you into the schedule. I have photographed plenty of gorgeous babies who have been older than 1-2 weeks old (like this baby who was 4 weeks old for her newborn session) and had absolutely beautiful sessions!
2. Pick a location for your Bristol Newborn Photography Session
Part of my consultation process includes walking my client through the location options for their newborn session so that we can pick a Bristol Newborn Photography session that will best serve your needs.
Our Available Newborn Session Locations:
- In home Bristol Newborn photography sessions for those Mamas that want all the comforts of home.
- In studio sessions to save you from having to prepare your home to be “picture perfect”.
- In hospital AKA Fresh 48-hour newborn sessions for cherishing those very first magical moments with your newest little one.
3. Pack a small bag for the kiddos
If you’re a second time or more Mama I probably don’t have to mention this to you, but I will if only as a helpful reminder. Pack a bag with snacks, wipes, and toys or things your kiddos can enjoy while they wait to have their pictures taken. Snacks in my opinion are a MUST even when you don’t have little ones, because someone always inevitably gets hungry. It happens to the best of us, so it’s always just best to be prepared.
4. Pre-plan your family wardrobe
One of the most exciting parts of the newborn session is planing for that first family picture with your newest little one. However, planning your families wardrobe on your own can be challenging. Which is why I offer family wardrobe planning and styling recommendations for my Bristol Newborn Photography sessions. My sessions are baby focused – so we start with choosing colors and outfits for your newest little one and then build your families wardrobe around that. Props, wraps, bonnets, headbands, and outfits are all provided for baby during their newborn session. My clients also have access to my seasonal wardrobe for Mamas and babies to help ease the stress of having to find something to wear for their session. My goal is to make your newborn session as stress-free as possible. While also helping to keep you well prepared so you’re not scrambling at the last minute (with your brand new baby in hand) to find something for your family to wear.
5. Consider packing a pacifier
Some mamas prefer to not have their baby use a pacifier to avoid nipple confusion. However, I suggest bringing a pacifier to your Bristol newborn photography session to help soothe baby for their portraits. Sometimes a pacifier can really make a huge difference to help settle babies into poses even if they don’t know how to use one quite yet, or they don’t normally like one. Which is why I always encourage Mamas to at least have one on hand during their session.
6. Be aware of what you eat 48-hours BEFORE your Bristol Newborn Photography Session
In my Newborn Client Prep Guide I provide my clients with a list of foods to try to avoid 48-hours before their newborn session. Often times in those first 1-2 weeks of babies life their stomachs are still so sensitive. Just like certain foods can affect our stomachs as adults. Some things (like spicy foods) that mom eats can cause gas, discomfort, reflux, and irritability in baby when they are nursing or bottle fed mom’s milk. If you suspect your baby may have a dairy allergy; it may be a good time to test removing it from your diet temporarily to ensure your baby is comfortable and happy throughout your Bristol newborn photography session.
7. Pre-plan your baby’s portraits
Part of my process as a Bristol newborn photographer includes a consultation where we discuss the style of your session, the location and wardrobe (as I mentioned above). As well as what types of poses you feel comfortable with. I also provide a variety of bonnets, wraps, outfits, props, and headbands or caps of your choosing during the consultation. I like to pre-plan all of these pretty little details with my clients for a few reasons. 1) I want these to be beautiful moments that you will treasure. 2) I want to make sure that the style and any color schemes or sets we use during your newborn session will be cohesive with the style in your home where you will be displaying your artwork.
For example, if your newborn’s nursery theme is soft pinks, light greens, and florals and you would like to hang a wall piece in your daughter’s nursery. I will make sure we incorporate those details into the styling of your session.
8. Bring any sentimental items you would like included in your Bristol newborn photography portraits
If there is something special you would like to incorporate into your newborn session be sure to bring it along with you on the day of your session. For example, this Mama brought a sign she had made to hang in her daughter’s nursery that she wanted to include in their session. I have also had Mamas bring in ultrasound images, a quilt blanket made by great grandma, baby shoes, mom’s wedding dress, dad’s uniform, or wedding rings to be included in their sessions. I want to make sure that we personalize this session to your family so that you can cherish these sweet memories of your newest little one.
9. Soak it all up!
Your sweet tiny baby will only be this small for a little while, so soak it all up and enjoy this time loving on your newest member! During your session I want to make sure you, your family, and your new baby are comfortable and can rest at ease knowing that everything is taken care of. During the consultation I will walk you through planning for your Bristol Newborn Photography session, and I will also be there every step along the way to help you prepare leading up to your session. So you can rest easy knowing that everything has been well thought out and taken care of on the day of your session.
If you would like more information about booking your Bristol Newborn Photography Session, CLICK HERE to get in touch.
Did you know I also offer in-hospital Fresh 48-hour Newborn sessions?
Click HERE to learn more about my in-hospital Newborn sessions.
This week I want to share with you the sweetest one year photos Houston from my friend Karla.
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